Family & Pets
5 ways to get kids away from the screen
Childhood today is almost unrecognisable compared to growing up in the 1950s and 60s, and more and more children have access to mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other devices from young ages. Keeping them healthy and active has never been more difficult, so the next time you’re looking after the little one in your life, try one of these alternatives instead.
- Sport – Grab a soccer ball, football, tennis racquet, cricket bat or whatever other sports equipment of choice and get the kids outside. Not only will they get a healthy dose of vitamin D, but they’ll stretch those ever-growing legs and build up some fitness.
- Gardening – There’s no better way to get children grounded than by literally going to the ground. Whether it’s a beautiful flower bed, veggie or herb garden, it’s a great way for both of you to get back to nature.
- Play dates – Instead of having them chat with their buddies over Facebook, organise to get them together in real life and have some proper facetime. Getting kids together can be chaotic and messy, but it’s a whole lot of fun, too.
- Art – Kids never cease to astound with their creativity. Give them free rein to make a beautiful painting or drawing of whatever they feel like. It’s a fantastic way to keep their minds busy in a health way, plus the products of their labour make wonderful gifts for family members.
- Music – Music is the ultimate trifecta – fun, educational and creative. Whether or not you’re a virtuoso yourself, getting kids interested in listening to and making music is a walk in the park. Start off with something small, like a recorder or ukulele, and see how they fare. If they like it, flutes, guitars and potentially stardom could be in their future!
For all your gardening, arts and crafts essentials for keeping the kids busy, head to the Over60 Shop for high-quality offerings.